Can perforator



y 7, 1940- R. c. KULLING 2,200,029

CAN PERFORA'I'OR Filed Dec. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A iiorneus V y 7,1940- R. c. KULLING 2,200,029

CAN PERFORATOR Filed Dec. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor AttorneysPatented May 7, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in openersor perforators for metallic containers, particularly evaporated orcondensed milk cans and has for its primary object to provide, in amanner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character embodying aconstruction and arrangement whereby pouring and vent openings may besimultaneously formed in the top of a can with a. minimum of effort.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a canperforator of the aforementioned character comprising novel means forassisting in withdrawing the punches from the can top after theperforations have been made therein.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a canperforator of the character described embodying a novel striking surfacewhereby driving the punches through the can top will be materiallyfacilitated.

Other objects of the invention are to provide I a can perforator of thecharacter set forth which.

will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highlyem'cient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured atlow cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention-will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a can perforatorconstructed in accordance with the present invention, showing same inposition on a milk can.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, showing the device mounted on a milkcan.

Figure 4 is a detail view in bottom perspective of the metallic coverwhich provides the pushing or striking surface.

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of one of the punches.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a milk can,showing two openings which have been made therein.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cup.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, illustrating theposition of the device on a can when the punchers have perforated thetop of said can.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a cupof any suitable metal which is designated generally by the referencenumeral I. The cup includes a circular top 2 and a depending annularskirt 3. As will be readily apparent, the cup I' is adapted to beslipped on the top portion of a conventional milk can 4. Of course, thecup- I may be of different diameters to accommodate different sizes ofcans.

Mounted in the cup I adjacent diametrically I opposite sides thereof isa pair of punches 5. The punches 5 include reduced threaded shanks 6which extend through openings I which are provided therefor in the top 2of the cup I. Nuts 8 are threaded on the shanks 6 for securing thepunches 5 in position. The reduced shanks 6 provide shoulders 9 on thepunches 5 which are engageable beneath the top 2 of the cup I.

Also, the shanks 6 include flat side portions I0 which are engageablewith corresponding portions of the walls of the openings I forpositively preventing rotation of said punches in said openings. Thelower ends of the punches 5 are bevelled in a manner to providepenetrating points II.

The reference numeral I2 designates generally a substantially V-shapedlifting spring of suitable resilient metal which is mounted in the cup Ifor engagement with'the top I3 of the-can 4. The spring I2 includes anarrow flat intermediate portion I4 which is perforated to accommodatefastening elements I5 which firmly secure said spring in positionbeneath the top 2 of the cup 6. The spring I2 further includesoppositely inclined arms I6 which extend from the intermediate portionIl. As illustrated to advantage in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the sideedges of the arm portions I 6 of the spring I2 converge toward theintermediate portion I4 thereof. The free ends of the arms I6 of thespring I2 are notched or recessed, as at I1, to avoid contact with thepunches 5. Also, the arms I6 terminate in outturned lips I8 on theirfree ends which are adapted to slidably engage the top of the can to beopened. The top 2 of the cup I has formed therein openings I 9 whichaccommodate the securing elements I5.

Mounted on the top 2 of the cup I is a cover for the elements 6, 8, I5,etc., which is designated generally by the reference numeral 20, saidcover also being of any suitable metal. The cover 20 is substantiallyoval in plan and said cover includes a top 2I and 9. depending flange22. Formed integrally with the lower edge of the flange 22 is aplurality of tongues 23 which are engageable in I;

openings 24 which are provided therefor in the top! of the cup' I. Thetongues 23 are clinched beneath the cup top 2 for rigidly securing thecover 20 in position.

It is thought that the manner in which the device is used will bereadily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. The cup I isslipped on the top of the can 4 and the device is normally supported inelevated position on the can by the spring l2. Now, by pushingdownwardly or striking the flat, smooth top 2| of the cover 20 thedevice is driven downwardly on the can against the tension of the springl2 in a manner to cause the punches 5 to perforate the top i3 of saidcan. This is shown to advantage in Fig; 8 of the drawings; After the canhas been thus perforated the device is returned to elevated position bythe spring 12, thus withdrawing the punches 5 from the openings whichhave been made. The device may then be removed or, if desired, it may beleft on the perforated can to function as a cover therefor. During thepunching operation the skirt 3 of the cup I vacts as a' openings aredesignated by the reference nu:

mera1 25. The milk is poured through one of these openings and the otherfunctions as a vent.

It is believed that the many advantages of a can perforator constructedin accordance with the present invention will be readily understood andalthough a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction and in the combination and arrangement-of parts may beresorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:

A can perforator comprising a cup adapted to be mounted on a can,punches mounted in the cup and including shanks extending through theRUDOLPH c. KULLING.

